Mohammad Shahbaz elected as Regional Councilor for IUCN

Mohammad Shahbaz, the national coordinator the IUCN national committee and the head of the Badia Research and Development Center (BRDC) has been elected as a regional councilor for West Asia and the Middle East in the World Conservation Union IUCN council elections conducted two days ago during the IUCN congress in Barcelona, Spain.

A highly contested election for West Asia/ Middle East saw Mr Shahbaz winning along with Mr Javed Jabbar from Pakistan and Mr Ali Drawish from Lebanon. Luck was not on the side of the three other candidates Mr Saif Al Hajari (Qatar), Mr Abdul Aziz Al Muhanna (Saudi Arabia) and Mrs. Samira Omar (Kuwait).

Mr Shahbaz is one of the very few people who have successfully demonstrated the practical linkages between sustainable development and use of scarce natural resources, scientific research, capacity development and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Mr. Shahbaz has coordinated one of the most efficient and successful sustainable development initiatives in Jordan and the region while being the manager of the Badia Research and Development Center (BRDC) and has been more than able to facilitate and enhance the membership and performance of the 13 member strong Jordan IUCN national committee. His 25 years career spanning between the government and the higher council for science and technology has provided Mr. Shahbaz with a comprehensive ability for strategic planning related to natural resources development and linking scientific research to policy making.

I have had the honor of working closely with Mr. Shahbaz and learning a lot from his professional, methodological and practical approach which has supported team work and endeavors for new initiatives and innovations. I am certain that his election in the IUCN council will prove to be very useful for Jordan, the region and the Union in general.

For more information on Mr Shahbaz election profile please read

http://cmsdata.iucn.org/custom/elections/mohammad_shahbaz.pdf